HomeMy Public PortalAbout20061116BeachTaskForceMinutes.pdfTybee Island Beach Task Force Minutes
November 16, 2006.
Members Present: Cecil DeLorme, Amy Lanier, Mary McCracken, Freda Rutherford, Wick Searcy,
William Sprague, John Wylly, and Lou Off
Ex-Officos Present: Dan Parrott, ACOE; Paul Wolff, City Council; Diane Schleicher, City Manager, Jan
Mackinnon, DNR
Members Absent: Berta Adams (E), Helen Downing (E), Henry Levy, Dick Magune, Walter Parker
Visitors: Kevin Haas and Paul Work, Georgia Institute of Technology, Savannah; Jennifer Drasic, Tybee
Resident
Lou called the meeting to order and welcomed everyone to the meeting.
Lou shared an article titled “The Report that OMB Doesn’t Want You to See” from the Coastal Connection, a
newsletter sent out from Marlowe and Company. The report confirmed that the areas away from the beaches
benefited more than 65% from beach tourist spending.
A draft copy of the accomplishments of the BTF for the year was given out to the members. Lou asked the
membership to read over and if there are any additions or corrections to get them to him prior to the next
meeting.
Wick Searcy motioned for the approval of the September and October Minutes. Amy seconded the motion.
Minutes were approved.
Dan Parrott, Chief, Civil Programs and Project Management Branch, Savannah District, US Army Corps of
Engineers and Tybee Project Manager, handed out a Corps Actions and Status Report for the membership. This
is a monthly status report of all things going on in the area which may be of interest. This report included the
Channel Maintenance, Coastal Zone Management, Channel Impacts Feasibility Study, FY07 Funding, FY08
Budget, Disposal Area Maintenance with GaDOT, Brunswick Harbor Deepening, Savannah Harbor Expansion,
Old Seawall Demolition, Tybee LRR Cost Breakdown, Corps/Tybee October Meeting. A copy of this report is
attached.
Channel Maintenance
The Channel Maintenance Contract was issued with an option for near shore placement. A bidder protested
which could delay the project 45 days. The contract will be amended to make the option an alternate disposal
area so as to not delay the contract. Contracts will come in with an alternative verses and option. This has
been coordinated with GaDNR. The bids were due in today. Dan stated that he will let Tybee know as soon as
he can. Dan stated that an estimate of 80,000 cubic yards was included in the contract as an option. There was
question on as to the designated area for channel material to go to the benefit of Tybee. DNR stated that the
entire federal navigational channel is to be included. Kelly Moore from DNR was to get that in writing to the
COE. Dan stated that the COE had not gotten that information yet, but that would help. Hopper Dredge work
can only be done between Dec. 15th and March 31st because of the turtle window.
Coastal Zone Management
A meeting to update all parties – GaDNR, Corps, Tybee – on the status of the implementation of the Coastal
Zone Management program for all Corps activities in the coastal waters of Georgia. This meeting is being
coordinated for the first week of December.
Channel Impacts Feasibility Study
The “Tybee Summit” is scheduled for November 28th from 1 to 5 pm. The purpose of the meeting will be to
finalize the scope of work for the engineering modeling required for the Channel Impacts Feasibility Study. This
study is required to further implement Coastal Zone Management Program for Tybee. Jan stated that Brad
Gane would not be at the meeting, but Kelly Moore would be and Jan will check to see if her replacement, Jill
Andrews, can be at the meeting.
FY07 Funding
There is going to be a Lame Duck Session. The COE will see an Omnibus Bill that when passed will include
Tybee’s amounts for FY07. Lou stated that at this moment the House and the Senate has passed $2 million for
Tybee. Dan stated that there maybe a possible adjustment to decrease that amount because the Federal
Government must pay for an additional $8 billion that is needed for Iraq and Homeland Security.
FY08 Budget
The Savannah District has prepared a budget based on the needs and priorities. OMB has had that budget
since September. The COE should hear something at the end of November of what the OMB will support. This
gives the COE a chance to rebut. Knowledge of the budget will not be released until the second Tuesday in
February 2008.
Disposal Area maintenance with GaDOT
A meeting is scheduled for December 4th with the COE and GaDOT to discuss the excessive erosion along
Disposal Area 14b and Jones Oysterbed Island.
Brunswick Harbor Deepening
This will be completed this fiscal year, pending the receipt of at least $15 million in FY07 funds. There is an
outstanding need of an additional $2.7 million in FY07 O&M funds in order to fully clear the harbor this winter.
Savannah Harbor Expansion
The study will be completed in FY2007, pending the receipt of at least $1.5 million in funds.
Old Seawall Demolition
Dan attached a phone record from the Mayor to stop the seawall demolition in 1985. Burt Moore has given
engineering drawings for the old seawall to Tybee.
Tybee LRR Cost Breakdown
Dan gave a copy of the LRR Cost Analysis. The total preparation cost was $5,698.66 less than expect. Lou
asked that this amount be paid back to the City of Tybee Island and sent to Diane Schleicher.
Corps/Tybee October Meeting
A copy of the minutes to this meeting was supplied to the members.
ERDC Report
This is the redo of the ATM Report for the Channel Harbor Deepening Beach Erosion. This report is the basis
for the November 28th meeting. If members would like to read the report, go to www.sav-harbor.com.
ERDC started with the various profiles of Tybee Island in 1854, 1863, 1900, all the way to 2005. This shows a
large bump between the anchor and north groin. This is the major change to Tybee Island. One year the
south tip extended about a mile further than it currently. This report states the same thing as the ATM report.
They also did FT wave modeling which supported the findings.
Janice is to advertise the November 28th meeting.
Freda asked if this report had the same conclusions as the ATM report. Lou stated that Erik Olsen commented
that they had not done a proper sediment budget yet that was comparable to the ATM figures. Freda asked if
we would rely on this report for a Section 111. Lou stated that would be discussed at the meeting on the 28th.
Sand Relocation Procedure
Lou presented this to council at their last meeting. Kathryn and Mallory had questions and it was not approved.
Lou also received an email from Harry Spirides who would like a sand dune master plan which specifies allowing
the City to maintain a certain maximum dune height and width. Lou feels that the sand relocation procedure
does that. He feels that we have a start and the key thing is to establish what we can do without a permit. Jan
stated that is covered under the existing plan. Lou said we would wait for the Council to take action on the
procedure.
GA Tech Approval
A letter from the COE approving GA Tech to do the beach monitoring should be coming soon.
Old Business
A copy of the litigation of Dauphin Island with the COE was mailed to each member. There was discussion
concerning this. It seems that Dauphin Island has been placed in the same position that we are today.
The GPA cooperative agreement has been on hold and will be re-visited by GPA soon.
New Business
Members whose terms are up: Freda Rutherford, Amy Lanier, Bill Sprague, and Helen Downing. There is a
form to sign for those to either continue membership for another 3 years or terminate.
Meeting Adjourned